Heart Disease Facts in Children and Memphis PALS Classes

Heredity plays a huge role for conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Children can also be at the receiving end of heart disease like adults. It is only timely and appropriate treatment that can save them during cardiac emergencies with the most appropriate treatment being proper application of the life-saving CPR techniques. The procedures comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths.

Sign up in a certified training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPR Memphis in Tennessee. CPR courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers are conducted. Learn more about a PALS class Memphis.

PALS Training Classes- This comprehensive Pediatric Advanced Life Support class begins with basic life support and CPR testing for 1 and 2 rescuers on child and infant. Recognizing and managing respiratory emergencies, intubation, intravenous and intra-osseous vascular access are also covered in detail. The pediatric assessment approach of Identify, Intervene, and Evaluate is a focus throughout the class. The class concludes with actual PALS cases and a final written examination. The course fee is $297.

Chief Risk Factors of Heart Disease:

1.      Smoking

2.      High blood pressure

3.      Diabetes

4.      High blood level of cholesterol

5.      Physical inactivity

6.      Obesity

7.      Family history of early-onset heart disease

Children and Heart Disease:

1.      American children and adolescents consume more saturated fat and have higher blood cholesterol levels than young people their age in most other developed countries. The rate of heart disease tends to keep pace with cholesterol levels.

2.      But, as per the American Heart Association, a heart-healthy diet from an early age lowers cholesterol and if followed through adolescence and beyond, should reduce the risk of coronary artery disease in adulthood.

3.      Children older than 2 years should follow a heart-healthy diet, including low-fat dairy products.

4.      Adopted children should be screened periodically for blood lipid (fat) levels throughout childhood which can help to prevent the development of diseases linked to high blood cholesterol levels.

Managing Cholesterol Levels:

Weight- Being overweight or obese increases the risk for many diseases including increased cholesterol levels. Having a healthy weight will significantly reduce the risk for heart disease. 

Exercise- Physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day raises the heart rate, helps with keeping a healthy weight, and reduces LDL cholesterol levels while increasing HDL cholesterol levels.

Diet- Avoid foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fat, and carbohydrates as they raise cholesterol levels.

LDL cholesterol coats arteries and causes a buildup of a substance called plaque on their walls. This leads to a condition known as atherosclerosis, which is a form of heart disease. Three different types of cholesterol make up the total cholesterol levels in the body:

1.      High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is considered "good" cholesterol which makes up 20-30 percent of a person's total cholesterol level.

2.      Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is considered "bad" cholesterol makes up 60-70 percent of the total in the body.

3.      Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is a precursor to LDL and makes up about 10-15 percent of a person's total cholesterol.

Remember, increase or decrease in the percentages can affect the chances of a person developing heart disease.

Sign up for a CPR class today and gain the benefits. For more information, contact CPR Memphis on 901-438-4200.